Dressing for the ice is a delicate balance between warmth and movement—think of yourself as a polar explorer who needs to dance! Layer like a poet crafts verses: a moisture-wicking base layer (synthetic or merino wool) to keep sweat at bay, an insulating middle layer that traps warmth without bulk, and a lightweight, flexible outer layer that allows your arms to swing freely. Avoid the cardinal skating sin of jeans, which restrict movement and become uncomfortably rigid when damp. Gloves are non-negotiable treasures for both warmth and hand protection during inevitable introductions to the ice. For children especially, waterproof snow pants offer both thermal protection and cushioning. Remember: you'll generate heat once moving, so dress slightly cooler than you think necessary—standing still in the perfect skating outfit should feel slightly chilly.

Your blades will whisper their needs if you learn to listen! The most telltale sign is when turns become unreliable companions—when edges that once gripped faithfully start to slip away like fair-weather friends. Run your protected fingernail gently perpendicular across the blade; a properly sharpened edge will subtly scrape your nail, while a dull one glides without resistance. Most recreational skaters need sharpening every 20-30 hours of ice time, though this varies based on your weight, skating style, and ice conditions. Hard stops, skating on improperly resurfaced ice, or walking on concrete without blade guards can dramatically shorten this timeline. We offer professional sharpening services with three hollow depth options to match your skating style—from deep hollows for precise figure work to shallow cuts for speedier hockey maneuvers.

At Qixawoi, we embrace ice skating's magnificent diversity! Beyond our foundational curriculum, we offer specialized pathways for various skating disciplines that branch out like a frost pattern on glass. Our figure skating track progresses from basic edges to jumps and spins, with separate focuses on freestyle, moves-in-the-field, and interpretive skating. For hockey enthusiasts, we've developed power skating programs that emphasize explosiveness, agility, and game-specific maneuvers. Our ice dance program celebrates movement to music, from preliminary pattern dances to advanced international styles. We even offer niche specialties like synchronized skating and theater on ice for those drawn to skating's collaborative art forms. All specialized tracks require completion of our Level 3 basic skills program, ensuring students have the fundamental building blocks before constructing their specialized skating identity.

Life occasionally throws obstacles more slippery than ice in our paths! When you can't make a lesson, our 24-hour notification policy serves as your safety net. With advance notice, we happily reschedule private lessons without penalty or add a make-up class option for group lesson participants (to be used within the same 8-week session). For those sudden disruptions that prevent 24-hour notice, we offer one "emergency absence" per 8-week session that can be rescheduled without penalty. Beyond that, missed lessons without sufficient notice are like snowflakes that have already fallen—beautiful but unable to be preserved. We maintain this policy to respect our instructors' time while balancing compassion for our students' unpredictable lives. For long-term absences due to injury or special circumstances, our customer care team works individually with families to find fair solutions.

Conquering advanced jumps is like solving a physics equation with your body as the primary variable! Our approach breaks each jump into its component parts—entry, takeoff, rotation, air position, and landing—analyzing and refining each segment before reassembling the complete element. We employ progressive training methods including harness work for developing proper air position and rotation mechanics, off-ice training with rotation boards and jump simulators, and video analysis that compares your execution with technical models. Our unique "partial mastery" methodology ensures skaters fully own easier variations (half-rotation, single jumps) before attempting more difficult versions of the same jump family. For particularly challenging elements like the Axel or quad jumps, we incorporate specialized periodization training that systematically develops the specific strength, coordination and spatial awareness these jumps demand. Most importantly, we tailor jump development to each skater's physical attributes—what works for a compact, explosive athlete differs significantly from strategies for a taller, more elongated skater.

Choreography is where technical skating transcends into storytelling on ice! Our showcase choreography services transform skilled movements into meaningful performances that resonate with audiences and judges alike. Our choreography team includes former professional performers with backgrounds spanning classical ballet, contemporary dance, theater, and competitive skating—bringing diverse perspectives to your artistic vision. We begin with an in-depth consultation to understand your skating strengths, musical preferences, and the story you wish to convey. From there, we craft programs that strategically highlight your technical abilities while developing your unique artistic voice. Our choreography packages include music editing, program layout, detailed step sequences, and expressive movement training that teaches you to physically embody emotions and characters. For group showcases, we specialize in creating formations that maximize visual impact while accommodating skaters of varying abilities. Beyond creating the program, we provide interpretation coaching that elevates execution from mere reproduction to genuine artistic expression—teaching you not just where to move, but why each movement matters to your narrative.